MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Seventy Milwaukee teens, sponsored by Johnson Controls, are keeping busy this summer as participants of the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) summer youth employment program. Now in its fifth year, the Johnson Controls program promotes environmental stewardship, leadership, and teamwork skills through hands-on conservation projects in Milwaukee County parks.

Students demonstrate their commitment to the community through erosion control and cleanup work at several sites across Milwaukee due to recent local flooding.

Johnson Controls sponsors the program in partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB) and the Milwaukee County Parks System.

"We are proud of the important work and leadership the CLC has demonstrated in supporting the development of the city's youth over the last five years," said Charles A. Harvey, vice president, diversity and public affairs, Johnson Controls. "Johnson Controls is committed to environmental stewardship and these young people have advanced that commitment through rebuilding several of Milwaukee's parks after the July flooding. Their dedication to our community is evidenced by the many improvements they have made and we are proud of their accomplishments."

Over the course of the six-week program, the students are participating in a variety of conservation projects throughout the Milwaukee area, including native planting, trail development and maintenance, invasive species removal and garden installation. Riverside and Lake Park have experienced erosion damage from the flooding, and participants have jumped in to help restore these community recreation areas.

CLC members also are receiving job readiness skills instruction through a weeklong orientation training and the third annual Johnson Controls Green Jobs Day that was held in July. The Green Jobs Day featured presentations from local dignitaries and interactive breakout sessions on energy efficiency, environmental conservation and career preparation.

The CLC was established in Milwaukee in 2006, and has since been expanded domestically to include Baltimore in 2007 and Detroit in 2008. Last year, the program launched globally in countries with a concentrated Johnson Controls presence in communities in China, Mexico, England and Germany.